Indonesia floods: Death toll rises to 47 in Central Java, many still missing

Heavy showers have damaged thousands of houses, forcing the residents to leave.

The death toll from the landslides and flash floods in Indonesia's Central Java province rose to 47 on Monday, even as many people are still reported missing.

The rescue teams have been using earth movers and bulldozers to clear the debris at several locations in central Java. The heavy showers have damaged thousands of houses, forcing the residents to leave.

"Around 200 people...in joint teams from the military, police, NGOs, and volunteers are continuing to search for victims," Sutopo Nugroho, spokesman for the national disaster mitigation agency, told Reuters.

The authorities have warned the residents of Java that there are possibilities of more rainfall, highlighting that it is highly prone to landslides.

"The public is advised to remain on high alert for heavy rain and potential for floods and landslides," Nugroho added.

The region affected by the flooding is one of the most densely populated parts of the country.

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"Rescue teams from the military, police, NGOs and volunteers, are contributing to the handling of the emergency and the search continues for those still missing," Nugroho added.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in a tweet the government would offer all assistance to the victims.

"Floods, landslides (have) hit a few districts. Sad over the loss of lives in the landslides in Jateng (Central Java). We move together to help (the victims)," he wrote on his Twitter account in Bahasa Indonesia.

Hours of heavy rain also triggered landslides that buried three houses and destroyed two more in the village of Dukuh Pohkumbang in Central Java.